Earth Day Beach & Underwater Cleanup -

Every Action Counts

Earth Day Beach & Underwater Cleanup at Juno Beach Pier

Article by Krymson-sky Elvir

On April 22nd, 2025, Scuba Diving International (SDI) partnered with Loggerhead Marinelife Center to mark Earth Day with more than just a message — we took action. Through a collaborative cleanup at Juno Beach Pier in Florida, our volunteers removed harmful debris both on the beach and underwater, reminding us that marine conservation begins with personal responsibility.

This wasn’t just a feel-good initiative; it was part of a broader movement grounded in data, education, and stewardship.

Why Cleanups Matter: The Hidden Cost of Marine Debris

Marine debris isn’t just unsightly — it’s deadly. Plastics, fishing lines, cigarette butts, and other refuse choke ecosystems, entangle marine life, and degrade water quality. Studies show that more than 8 million metric tons of plastic enter the oceans every year — the equivalent of a garbage truck dumping plastic into the sea every minute.

These materials don’t biodegrade; instead, they break into microplastics, entering food chains and impacting not only marine animals but also human health.

Our Earth Day Impact: By the Numbers

🌊 Underwater Cleanup – Juno Beach Pier

15 volunteers
65.1 pounds of debris removed
0.35 miles of monofilament fishing line recovered — enough to wrap the pier twice
Recovered debris included:
- 120 lead weights
- 25 hooks
- 35 lures
- 1 cell phone
- 1 golf ball
- 1 fishing reel

The monofilament line is nearly invisible underwater and highly durable. Left unattended, it can persist for centuries, often wrapping around coral heads, killing reef systems, or entangling sea turtles and fish.

🏖️ Beach Cleanup – Juno Beach

16 volunteers
580 pieces of debris
10.1 pounds total weight
75% of debris was plastic

The Top 5 Collected items:

Hard plastic fragments
Plastic foam pieces
Cigarette butts
Processed paper
Plastic film

Cigarette butts — often overlooked — are toxic. Made of cellulose acetate, a type of plastic, they leach chemicals like arsenic and nicotine into the sand and water, harming small invertebrates and fish larvae.

Why This Location Matters

Juno Beach Pier isn’t just a popular fishing and diving destination — it’s a critical nesting habitat for loggerhead, green, and leatherback sea turtles. During nesting season, artificial lighting, physical obstacles, and marine debris can prevent turtles from nesting or cause hatchlings to become disoriented, never reaching the sea.

That’s why Loggerhead promotes “Respect the Locals,” encouraging residents and visitors to:

Fill in holes and knock down sandcastles
Turn off lights near the beach at night
Remove all beach gear and trash daily

From Awareness to Action: What You Can Do

Conservation isn’t about perfection — it’s about progress. You don’t need to dive or live near the coast to make an impact. Start with small, sustainable choices at home.

Here are some plastic-free swaps to try, drawn from Loggerheads’s sustainability resources:

Everyday Item	Swap it for…
Plastic toothbrush	Bamboo toothbrush
Liquid hand soap	Bar soap or refillable glass dispenser
Plastic razors	Metal safety razor
Plastic food wrap	Beeswax wrap
Disposable utensils	Reusable bamboo or metal set
K-cups	Stainless steel reusable pods
Plastic produce bags	Mesh or cloth reusable bags

Each swap may seem minor — but collectively, they reduce your plastic footprint and send a message to manufacturers and policymakers.

A Call to Dive Deeper

Earth Day is just one day — but the ocean needs our attention every day. At SDI, we believe divers are not just explorers — we are ambassadors of the underwater world. When we remove marine debris, we protect coral reefs. When we educate others, we amplify our impact.

🌎 Join the mission. Share your knowledge. Clean your corner of the world.

Together, we can build a healthier ocean — one dive, one cleanup, one conscious decision at a time.

Start your SDI Marine Ecosystems training now!

0 replies